Chronic Fatigue in Sarcoidosis

RWTH Aachen University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Sarcoidosis

Treatments: Diagnostic Test: fMRI, questionnaires, pneumologic diagnostics

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04178239

16-082

Details and patient eligibility

About

Background: Chronic fatigue (CF) is a prominent symptom in many sarcoidosis patients, affecting quality of life (QoL) and interfering with treatment. This study investigates neuropsychobiological mechanisms and markers of CF in sarcoidosis.

Full description

Patients with a histological diagnosis of sarcoidosis are included. The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) is used to define patients with and without CF. All patients are then characterized using several fatigue, depression, QoL and executive functioning questionnaires. Cognitive functioning and underlying neural correlates are assessed using an n-back task measuring working memory and (sustained) attention during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Sarcoidosis disease activity is determined using lung function, laboratory parameters, and exercise capacity.

Enrollment: 31 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• histologically diagnosed sarcoidosis
• age ≥18 years
• provision of written informed consent
• sufficient German language skills to fully understand all questionnaires

Exclusion criteria

• patients unable to understand study-related information
• insufficient language skills in German language
• MRI-related contraindications:
• any kind of implants or extraneous material inside the body
• past thoracic or ophthalmologic surgery
• medical history of epilepsy, tinnitus or seizure
• extensive tattoos
• current pregnancy
• claustrophobia

Trial design

31 participants in 2 patient groups

Chronic Fatigue

Description:

MFI score \>53 points

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: fMRI, questionnaires, pneumologic diagnostics

No Chronic Fatigue

Description:

MFI score \< 54 points

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: fMRI, questionnaires, pneumologic diagnostics